EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal should use feeling of missing out on the title to power them next season says Invincible star Gilberto Silva
Few people know quite as well as Gilberto Silva what it's like to go through title heartbreak with Arsenal only to turn it into something special.
The Brazilian midfielder was the less glamorous but just as important member of Arsenal's Invincibles, who remain the last side from north London to win the Premier League.
He arrived in England in 2002 when Arsene Wenger's side fought very hard with fierce rivals Manchester United but ultimately finished second.
They would eventually go on to win the title the following year and go the whole league campaign undefeated. Whilst speaking about that season Silva revealed that Arsene Wenger had predicted it before it kicked off but the players were simply using the previous year's defeat to spur them on to the title.
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"Honestly, we just carried on and kept playing to win the games," he told SPORTbible in an exclusive interview.
"The only thing important to us was winning the league, because the season before we had lost it in a very bad way, which was very tough, was very, very hurtful, it was not fun. We wanted to bounce back.
"I think this difference, when you are frustrated with something, we made that frustration and transformed it into something very positive in your life, this is what we did, because we took the frustration from the previous season and learned from it and came back stronger. Learn from the mistakes you made.
"You feel like 'Oh, I cannot do it again. How can I manage myself? How can I work better, and in order to succeed and to become a better professional better player in my position', because I needed to be the best my position to contribute with with my team."
Whilst our chat began talking about the Invincibles, Silva's answer obviously had me wondering about the current Gunner's side.
Mikel Arteta's team led the league for so much of last season but inevitably fell by the wayside to the juggernaut of Manchester City.
And like in 2003, Silva believes the current crop can use last season's hurt to take them to the title in 10 months' time: "It's what they have to do for the next season in my opinion.
"What they had to to do for the next season use the frustration because of course there are frustrations, from the players, the fans. Because it was so close, despite the fact not many people had them to challenge for the title at the start of the season.
"But in the end we all believe Arsenal can win, and this is important when you have this belief on your mind: 'I can win the game, I can win the title and let's go for it.'
"But the guys they need to feel proud for what they did, the fans need to be proud, has to be proud, about the team. Everybody must be happy.
"But take this to go to the next level now. It is a positive thing to think how we can bring Arsenal to the next level and next year challenge. Not only challenge but win the title for the club."
Silva was part of the Emirates Global Gooners campaign, which saw one fan flown over from Kenya for the matchday experience of his life with the Invincible star.
And whilst there were many great things for the 46-year-old to pick out from last season, he believes the fans' support for the team was one of the best things from the brilliant campaign.
"For me one of the great things to see in this season was the bonds that was formed by the fans and the team," Silva added.
"This was beautiful to see in their their home games. How they embrace the team, how they support the team, how they were so important for the team.
"To support them at anytime even through the times that were tough to them, but the fans were there.
"This shows that how Arsenal play an important role for all of us who support Arsenal.
"This is the way to be, bring back all the positivity for the next season. The fans, you know the the team, the players, need them to be there again to support them even more."
Gilberto Silva was speaking with SPORTbible as part of Emirates and Arsenal’s ‘Global Gooners’ competition. He is working with Emirates to reunite Arsenal supporters all over the world at the Emirates Stadium, surprising one of the club’s biggest fans with the ultimate matchday experience.
Topics: Football, Arsenal, Premier League, Spotlight
Ryan Sidle